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Bopara, Sammy and Samuels fined for verbal showdown

The umpire intervenes to break-up an argument between players Getty Images

England batsman Ravi Bopara and West Indians Marlon Samuels and Darren Sammy have been fined for their verbal altercation during the first T20 in Barbados on Sunday. Bopara was slapped a heavier fine of 25% of his match fee while Sammy and Samuels were fined 20 and 10% respectively.

The incident occurred during the 12th over of England's chase, when Bopara set off for a single. Bopara made insulting comments towards the bowler Samuels who responded. Sammy, the West Indies captain, then stepped in to have a go at Bopara before the umpires Joel Wilson and Peter Nero intervened.

All three pleaded guilty to the level 1 breach of the ICC Code of Conduct to the match referee Andy Pycroft. The three players were found to have breached Article 2.1.8 of the code, which states: "Where the facts of the alleged incident are not adequately or clearly covered by any of the (above) offence, conduct that either: (a) is contrary to the spirit of the game; or (b) brings the game into disrepute".